Monday, July 6, 2015

Penobscot River Whitewater Nationals Regatta, July 23-26

Great Works Rapid, Old Town Maine.Photo: RW Estela.

The Penobscot Nation and communities of Old Town, Bradley, Orono, Veazie and Eddington are pleased to welcome paddlers to the 2015 Penobscot River Whitewater Nationals Regatta. Four days of paddling events for open canoes, kayaks, decked canoes and SUPs will crown American Canoe Association downriver racing National Champions and celebrate this newly free-flowing section of the Penobscot River, and long time home to the Penobscot Nation.

Official practice and opening ceremony will be on Wednesday, July 22. Downriver racing will commence Thursday morning with the Open Canoe Mixed and Jr./Sr. classes, and the K1 Short Men and K1 Long Women kayak races. Races will start in Old Town, with the longer downriver races ending in Eddington. Kids races will start in Orono and end in Veazie. Saturday will feature “Sprint” racing through the Class 3 Great Works Rapids near Old Town.

Father/daughter
team Bob and Karoline Bass during a practice run of the Basin Mills Rapid near
Orono, Maine (May 31, 2015). Photo:
Tammy Kelley.

Old Town has meant paddling to generations of canoeists and Race Chair Scott Phillips is very pleased with the enthusiasm and support for the event provided by the Tribe, local communities and volunteers, and strong corporate and community sponsorship. “We expect over a hundred boats for the downriver races, and there will be races for kayaks, decked canoes, standup-paddle boards, and special events for kids,” says Phillips. “Paddlers are in for an exciting racing experience. This is a big river and it will be a challenge to pick fast lines while staying dry!”